FARNBOROUGH: RBS commits to 95 Airbus and Boeing jets

RBS Aviation Capital is continuing the domination of the leasing sector at the Farnborough show, revealing itself as the customer for 95 Boeing and Airbus aircraft.

The orders, previously undisclosed, consist of 52 firm Airbus A320-family aircraft and 43 firm Boeing 737s, which have a combined value of more than $7.6 billion at list prices.

RBS' announcement marks the first time the operating lessor has placed orders at an air show. "We felt it was an appropriate time to firm the Airbus and Boeing orders and to re-emphasise our commitment to the sector," RBS Aviation Capital's chief Peter Barrett tells Flight Daily News.

"Our ongoing commitments to Airbus and Boeing aircraft underline that we remain positive on the outlook for both RBS Aviation Capital and the wider aircraft leasing sector."

RBS received the first aircraft, a 737-800, last week and placed it on lease to Garuda Indonesia

Deliveries are scheduled through mid-2015, with the first aircraft being Boeings. RBS received the first aircraft, a 737-800, last week and placed it on lease to Garuda Indonesia. Two additional 737s aircraft are scheduled for later this year and will be leased to Shandong Airlines.

No Airbus deliveries are scheduled in 2010 but RBS will split the A320-family aircraft engine order between CFM International's CFM56 and International Aero Engines' V2500, depending on the customer demand.

Barrett explains that, although the 95 new aircraft will join over a five-year period, the peak of deliveries will be in 2013-14.

"When we placed the orders in late 2008 with Airbus and Boeing, it was always the intention to focus on that period," he says.

RBS' announcement follows orders from lessors GECAS, Air Lease Corporation. and Avolon earlier this week. Barrett says operating lessor's backlogs with OEMs is lower than historic averages with both manufacturers.

RBS recently took delivery of its 145th A320-family aircraft and its 125th 737. "Both of these aircraft types have been instrumental in helping us to create a highly successful global business that has pioneered the strategy of owning and leasing narrowbody, commodity aircraft types that are liquid, investor friendly and easily tradable," it says.

Barrett says the operating lessor wants to be ready as customers are reporting improving trends: "The recovery has started and we are seeing encouraging yields and load factors from airlines."